Magister Curationis - MCur / Introduction: Community service Practitioner's (CSPs), Regulation 425 graduates are placed for a period of 12 months in the public sector designated health facilities where they may encounter possible challenges. The study aimed to determine the perception of CSPs regarding the adequacy of the orientation and support for CSPs' at health care facilities in two sub-structures in the Western Cape Province. The objectives were i) to establish what support systems are in place for the CSPs' at health facilities ; ii) to determine the adequacy for CSPs'; and iii) to identify possible gaps in the orientation and support structures offered at health facilities. Methodology: The study is quantitative and adopted a descriptive design. The population (N=57) included all the CSPs' that are placed in health care facilities within two sub-structures in the Western Cape. A sample of 48 participants was obtained through all-inclusive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) software version 22.0 was used for analysis of the data. Ethical considerations: The researcher received approval from Senate Research Committee and ethical clearance from the University of the Western Cape. Permission was granted by department of health and the facility managers of the health care institutions. Informed consent was obtained from participants who were made aware that participation was voluntary, prior to completing questionnaires. Results: The results indicated that the CSPs' are receiving support in designated health facilities in the two sub structures of the Western Cape. Macro and Micro Orientation, supervision in the department and rotation to other departments have been revealed to be an adequate type of support. Possible gaps were identified, namely inadequate length of orientation programmed, as well as some support structures which were either not accessible or known to participants. Recommendations were developed to overcome these challenges.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Community service has been an inevitable part of most health professionals’ lives since it began in 1998. In 2004 the Health Minister in South Africa announced that community service will be extended to include nurses once the Nursing Bill of 2005 was passed by Parliament. Community service for nurses is one year of service after graduation and before the graduate is registered as a professional nurse with the South African Nursing Council. The period of transition from student to newly qualified nurse is known to be stressful. “Reality shock” is a common experience for newly qualified nurses who find themselves in work situations for which they feel inadequately prepared. The aim of the study was to explore the professional nurses’ experience of the community service year at a secondary hospital in the Western Cape. The two objectives were to explore the professional nurses’ experience of their transition from student to community service practitioner and to explore the support and challenges experienced by professional nurses during their community service year at a secondary hospital in the Western Cape. A qualitative research approach and an exploratory and descriptive research design were used to gain insight into the professional nurses’ experiences of their community service year. The population included all professional nurses employed in community service during 2012-2013 and who were working at the selected research site, a secondary academic hospital in the Western Cape. Participants, sampled through purposive sampling, participated in semi-structured interviews during September 2014-January 2015. The inductive process described by Thomas (2003) was used to analyse the data. The results of this study revealed that the community service year was experienced as difficult as it required the community service practitioners to apply new knowledge and take on a higher level of responsibility in practice. The undergraduate nursing programme was perceived as not preparing them for the responsibility as community service practitioner.However, transition from student to community service practitioner was experienced as positive as they developed positive relationships with staff that supported them through the process while they developed professionally.